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The best new bars in Toronto prove thereâs one thing Torontonians love to do, and thatâs drink. Of course, when we love doing something, we want to do it well. The saloons on this list are raising the bar when it comes to how we imbibe our chosen poisons in this fair city.

These are the best bars that opened in Toronto during 2016.

1

Birreria Volo

This Little Italy beer bar has a lot to offer. An exhaustive list of taps with alphabetical handles and a giant menu of bottles show that the Morana brothers, whose previous project Bar Volo had to call it quits, aren’t going anywhere.

2

Pretty Ugly

This Parkdale bar from the Grant van Gameren team is a dark space with carpets covering the windows. A teeny mezcaleria in the front and cocktail bar in the back, it oozes cool mystery.

3

Pray Tell

Near College and Dovercourt, this bar from the same people behind Track & Field has a menu of playful cocktails and fusion-inspired snacks like pizza pockets, dumplings and seafood boards.

4

The Greater Good

On the corner of Geary and Dufferin, this bar in a towering industrial space slings tons of excellent local craft beer on tap along with North of Brooklyn pizza, and putting in arcade games on an upper floor.

5

Famous Last Words

If your idea of a good time at a bar is burning through a chapter rather than talking to people, or even if you like both those things, this Junction bar with cocktails named after your favourite book titles is for you.

6

Swan Dive

An unapologetic dive bar, this no-nonsense hangout on Dundas West has pool and straight up drinks. They have regular DJ nights and shot specials.

7

Farside

This East Chinatown bar projects VHS movies while they mix up cheeky bevvies like the Forever 41, a twist on a white wine spritzer, and the Chili Gonzalez, a slightly spicy nod to a local music legend. You can also get birthday cake whenever you want here.